Fencing wire clip

ABSTRACT

A fencing wire clip for attaching a fence wire to a fence rod. The clip has a coil body  10  from which projects a pair of spaced apart arms  12  and  13.  Each arm has at its distal end an engagement portion  15  which extends substantially transverse to the length of the arm  12/13.  In use one arm  13  is levered over the other arm  12  such that the respective engagement portions  15  interlock. The interlocking arms  12  and  13  form with the coil body  10  an aperture A through which a fence element W can engage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a fencing wire clip.

[0002] Fencing wire clips for use with rods, standards or battens typically used in the construction of electric fencing are known. While the fencing clip of the present invention has particular application to the field of electric fencing it is not restricted to such end use. The clip can be used for non-electric fence wires and other elongate elements forming a barrier or part of a barrier.

[0003] Typically fencing clips of the type to which the present invention relates are formed from an elongate stiff resilient member such as a length of wire. The elongate member is wound into a spiral of at least two complete coils. The coil body of the clip can thus be slid onto a rod, standard or batten having a uniform cross-section at least in the length thereof on which the clip is to be located. The outer cross-sectional dimensions of the rod, standard or batten is substantially the same but not less than the internal diameter of the coils of the clip.

[0004] The two ends of the elongate member form arms which extend from the coil body of the clip. These arms are hook, loop or other suitably shaped at the distal ends to provide in combination a location arrangement through which a wire, electric fence conductor or the like can engage.

[0005] Examples of fencing clips of this form are shown in New Zealand patent specification 200216/201039.

[0006] As mentioned above the fencing clip is primarily intended to locate a fence wire which will generally be a conducting element of an electric fence. The combinations of the rod, standard or the like and one or more clips on each, together with one or a plurality of electric fence conductors provides a simple yet effective means of providing an electric fence.

[0007] One of the disadvantages with such an arrangement is that the clips are not sufficiently robust to provide the necessary strength characteristics to resist physical forces which an animal or animals may apply to the fence element (eg an electric fence conductor). Such physical force can for example result in the clips deforming or even breaking thereby releasing the wire or otherwise adversely impacting on the integrity of the fence to the extent that a physical barrier to the animals no longer exists.

[0008] Fencing clips of this type are so constructed that the arms can be used as levers to expand the effective internal diameter of the coils. This enables the clip to be slid along the rod, standard, batten or the like so as to enable adjustment of the location of the clip. Consequently the gauge of the elongate member forming the clip is such that it is usually not possible to achieve the desired level of zinc coat weight to corrosion protect the clip. Thus the clips are prone to corrosion which can impact on the strength of the clips and once again the integrity of the fence of which the clips form part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a fencing clip which at least goes some way toward overcoming the aforementioned problems with known fencing clips.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention this objective is achieved by forming the elongate member from which the clip is formed from a heavier gauge metal.

[0011] According to one broad aspect of the invention there is therefore provided a fencing wire clip including a coil body from which projects a pair of spaced apart arms, each arm having at a distal end thereof an engagement portion whereby one arm can be levered over the other arm such that the respective engagement positions interlock, the interlocked arms forming with the coil body an aperture through which a fence element can engage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the clip in its relaxed state,

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the fencing clip when the arms thereof are interlocked in an in use configuration,

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the clip in its relaxed state,

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clip shown in FIG. when forming part of a fence construction,

[0016]FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of the clip once it has been installed in the manner shown in FIG. 4,

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of the clip being installed on a fencing rod using a further form of applicator tool,

[0018]FIG. 7 is a further view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 but from a different direction and with the clip fully installed on the applicator tool,

[0019]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the applicator tool being used to lever one arm of the clip over the other arm, and

[0020]FIG. 9 is yet a further illustration but with the applicator tool at the point where the arms of the clip have been interlocked so that the applicator tool can be drawn away to leave the clip in position on the rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] The fencing wire clip according to the present invention is, in the preferred form, formed from a length of wire which is of a gauge which is heavier than that which would normally be used for known fencing clips. The gauge of the wire on which the clip of the present invention is constructed is thus preferably in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 mm.

[0022] In accordance with typical fence wire clips of this type the length of wire from which the clip is formed is wound into a coil shape body 10 having a plurality of loops. There are at least two loops. In the preferred form of the invention more than two loops are provided and/or the loops are located at a wider pitch.

[0023] The internal diameter of the loops i.e. of the coil body 10 is such that the body can be slid onto a fencing rod (standard, batten or the like) R so that it can move axially along the rod R. The internal diameter of the coil body 10 is thus substantially that of the external diameter of the rod R or that part of the rod R with which the clip is to be associated.

[0024] However, within the scope of the invention the internal diameter can be slightly greater or less than the external diameter of the rod R. When it is slightly greater locking of the coil onto the rod R occurs when the arms 12 and 13 are interlocked as this action causes the internal diameter of the coil body 10 to decrease.

[0025] The ends of the metal length from which the clip is formed extend from each end of the coil body 10 as arms 12 and 13. As shown the arms are bent at 14 this bend being located close to where the arms 12 and 13 extend from the coil body 10. The arms thus are inclined relative to the central axis of the coil body. They also extend substantially tangentially from opposite sides of coil body 10.

[0026] Each of arms 12 and 13 is formed at its distal end with an end or engagement portion 15 which extends substantially at right angles to the main length of the arm 12/13. As can be seen from FIG. 3 (or at least in a plan view) the arms are more or less parallel to one another when the clip is in the “relaxed” state though due to the above mentioned inclined nature of the arms relative to body 10 the arms incline relative to one another (as can be seen from FIG. 1).

[0027] In use the coil body 10 is slid onto the rod to the desired location where it is required to carry out its function. To lock the clip into position a lever L is engaged over one arm and under the other arm 13 (see FIG. 6 and the lever L′).

[0028] By applying a levering action via lever L the end portion 15 of one of arms 12 and 13 is inter-engaged with the end portion of the other one of arms 12 and 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The lever L can then be withdrawn. This levering by the use of an implement is necessary due to the heavy gauge of the wire from which the fencing clip is formed.

[0029] When interlocked the arms 12 and 13 form an enclosed area A through which a wire W of the fence can pass. This enclosed area A is defined by the coil body 10 and the interlocking arms 12 and 13.

[0030] To release the arms 12 and 13 the lever L is inserted into aperture B between the arms (see FIG. 4) and one arm levered off the other. The clip can then be slid upon the rod R for say repositioning. To assist this movement the arms 12 and 13 can be forced away from each other, the end result being to deform the coil body slightly so that the internal diameter increases. Releasing the arms when the clip has been repositioned will result in the clip remaining in the new position due to the contraction of the coil body.

[0031] The bends 14 in the arms cause the fence wire W to be directed toward the rod R. The bends 14 also create a deeper aperture A.

[0032] Because of the heavier gauge of wire used to form the clip a lever, as indicated, is required to enable the arms to interlock or be released from the interlocking state. Because of the heavier gauge it is possible to obtain a desired level of zinc coat weight such that the clip is able to exhibit greater corrosion resistance.

[0033] The heavier gauge of wire also ensures that the clip is more robust and thus is able to sustain physical demands such as may be created by an animal applying a force to the fence wire held by the clip.

[0034] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the clip being installed on a fence rod by a more sophisticated form of applicator tool. As can be seen from the drawings the applicator tool 20 has a tubular body 21 from one end of which extends a handle 23 which can be gripped in the hand H of a user. Projecting from the handle end of the body 21 toward the open end 22 of the tubular body 21 is a lever L′. In the preferred form of the invention this lever L′ is tapered toward a more or less pointed end 24 which preferably projects beyond the open end 23 of the body 21.

[0035] An elongate slot 25 in the sidewall of body 21 extends substantially parallel to the lever L′. This slot 25 opens at a tapered mouth 26 to the open end 23 of the body 21.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6 the tool 20 is brought into contact with the clip by sliding the pointed end 24 through the aligned areas where the respective engagement portions 15 meet with the arms 12 and 13. This results in the distal ends and engagement portions of the arms 12 and 13 effectively becoming located within the slot 25. As can be seen in FIG. 7 the tool 20 is manipulated onto the clip so that the thicker portion of the lever L′ is engaged with the arms/engagement portions.

[0037] The operator then twists (FIG. 8) the tool 20 so as to lever the end of arm 13 up and over arm 12. This twisting action of tool 20 is continued through to the FIG. 9 position whereupon the engagement portions 15 have interlocked and the tool can be removed.

[0038] The tool can also be used to disengage arms 12 and 13 by following the reverse procedure. The small diameter pointed end 24 of the pin L′ enables the pin to gain entry into the aperture B and then be slid further inwards so that the greater diameter portion of the lever L′ locates in the aperture B. By using the larger diameter portion of the lever L′ the lever does not bend when a force is applied either during installation or removal of the clip.

[0039] The operator's fingers and eyes need protection during unlocking (in particular) because of the force unleased when the clip snaps undone. The shroud formed by the body 21 ensures that the operator's fingers and eyes are protected from any flying debris.

[0040] It will be observed that in the drawings the operator is considered to be left-handed.

[0041] A significant benefit of having to use a leverage tool to interlock and disengage the arms of the clip is that it will lessen the possibility of injury when the tension between the interlocked arms is released. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fencing wire clip including a coil body from which projects a pair of spaced apart arms, each arm having at a distal end thereof and engagement portion whereby one arm can be levered over the other arm such that the respective engagement portions interlock, interlocked arms form together with the coil body an aperture through which a fence element can engage.
 2. The fencing wire clip according to claim 1 formed from a length of wire.
 3. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 2 wherein the length of wire has a gauge in the range of about 2.0 to 5.0 mm.
 4. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 3 wherein the coil body includes a plurality of loops.
 5. The fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each engagement portion extends substantially at right angles to the main length of the arm.
 6. The fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 5 wherein the arms extend substantially tangentially to the coil body and from opposite sides of the coil body, said arms projecting at an incline relative to a central axis of the coil body.
 7. A fencing wire clip including a coil body from which projects a pair of spaced apart arm said coil body and arms being formed from a length of wire having a gauge in the range of about 2.0 to 5.0 mm, each arm having at its distal end an engagement portion disposed relative to the arm such that one arm can be levered to cross over the other arm so that the engagement portions interlock, thus interlocked arms together with the coil body creating an aperture through which a fence element can engage.
 8. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 7 wherein each engagement portion projects substantially at right angles to the main length of the arm.
 9. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 7 wherein the arms extend substantially tangentially to the coil body and from opposite sides of the coil body.
 10. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 9 wherein the arms project at an incline relative to a central axis of the coil body.
 11. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 1 in combination with an elongate lever tool.
 12. A fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 7 in combination with an elongate lever tool.
 13. The combination of claim 11 or 12 wherein the tool includes an elongate lever located within a shroud, said shroud having an elongate slot extending from an opening at an open end of the shroud, a distal end of said elongate lever being located at the mouth.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the shroud is connected to a handle.
 15. The combination of claim 13 wherein the elongate lever is tapered at its distal end.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the elongate lever is located parallel to said elongate slot and projects beyond the mouth.
 17. At least one fencing wire clip as claimed in claim 1 or 7 in combination with a fencing rod, said coil body being located about the periphery of the rod, the internal diameter of the coil body, when said arms are interlocked, being substantially the same as that of the rod to lock the clip in axial location on the rod.
 18. The combination of claim 17 further including a fence wire extending through an aperture in the clip, said aperture being defined by the interlocked arms and the coil body. 